Lawmaker ejected, non-discrimination bill makes historic progress

Rep. Harlan Edmonds listen to amendments of SF 115 during debate on Friday. He was later ejected from the meeting for saying Friday that he wanted a bill prohibiting discrimination against gay and transgender workers to become law “when hell freezes over.” (Gregory Nickerson/WyoFile

A bill protecting the rights of gay and transgender workers has advanced to its farthest point in the history of the Wyoming Legislature.

The House Labor, Health, and Social Services Committee passed Senate File 115-Discrimination on a 6-2 vote Friday. The bill had passed the Senate last week, and now awaits three rounds of debate in the House.

During final amendments on the bill, Edmonds proposed an amendment to make the bill effective “when hell freezes over.” Harvey asked him to leave the meeting, and counted him as absent even as he called out a “no” vote before he left the room.

Harvey said the ejection followed a procedure she’d rarely seen used in her 12 years as a lawmaker. She said the civility rule applies equally to the public and to members of the committee.

Edmonds characterized his amendment as a joke that fell flat.

“Man, it was getting tense in there and I made a joke, and I am going to apologize to the Chairman,” he said. “To anybody else who was offended, I thought it would break the tension. I think they know it wasn’t a serious amendment.”

Edmonds said he put Harvey in a very difficult position, and that he wasn’t thinking ahead about how his comment would be received. “She had to do something — she had to kick me out at that point,” he said. “So I am mainly sorry for what I did. … I’ll behave myself better in these committees.”

Edmonds said he expects the House vote on SF 115 to be a defining vote of the 2015 session. “It will be the one that surpasses Medicaid expansion as the thing that defines who wins and loses elections the next time,” he said.

No other nondiscrimination bill has gotten this far. In 2013, a similar bill passed committee in the Senate, then died on the House floor.

If the bill is enacted, it would place Wyoming among 18 states with similar legislation banning workplace discrimination against gay and transgender people. Thirty-two states do not have such protections for either one or both of those groups.

However, Wyoming’s bill may have a significantly broader religious exemption than similar laws adopted in places like Salt Lake City, if passed as amended by the House Labor Committee.

Debate Friday focused on whether expanding nondiscrimination statutes in Wyoming to include sexuality or gender identity is in conflict with freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Such statutes already protect race, religion, sex, age, pregnancy status, and other categories.

“Any time a government binds the conscience of men, that government is on shaky ground,” said Pastor Tim Moyer of Emmanuel Bible Church of Star Valley, who spoke on behalf of the Wyoming Pastors Network.

Some members of the public expressed concerns about private business owners being asked to serve people whose sexuality they disagree with. The committee considered two amendments that would have made private businesses exempt from non-discrimination laws, but members voted those changes down.

Pastor Shaun Sells of Calvary Chapel in Cheyenne cited the Wyoming Constitution, which states in Article 21 section 25:

“Perfect toleration of religious sentiment shall be secured, and no inhabitant of this state shall ever be molested in person or property on account of his or her mode of religious worship.”

Proponents of the bill also cited the constitution, focusing on Article 1 Section 3, which guarantees equal political rights:

“Since equality in the enjoyment of natural and civil rights is only made sure through political equality, the laws of this state affecting the political rights and privileges of its citizens shall be without distinction of race, color, sex, or any circumstance or condition whatsoever….”

For some lawmakers, the freedom of religion and free enjoyment of accommodations seemed to come into conflict.

“I am worried we have two freedoms butting heads,” said Rep. Sue Wilson (R-Cheyenne), who voted against the bill. “We need to be really careful about squashing our ability to express beliefs and opinions in favor of other situations. It is really a challenge to balance.”

Many businesses and associations spoke in favor of the bill, including the Wyoming Petroleum Association and the Wyoming Mining Association. Several people told stories of young gay people who were considering leaving the state because they did not feel they could safely work here as doctors or engineers.

“When I decide where I live and work after graduation, Wyoming is unable to compete with states that have taken steps to protect my rights,” said Garrett Zans, a University of Wyoming engineering graduate student and former track athlete who is gay.

Kathy Vetter of the Wyoming Education Association also had concerns about how graduates would be treated. “We demand our students are not harassed in schools,” Vetter said. “That right should not be taken away from them when they graduate and move into the workforce.”

The movement on the non-discrimination issue comes on the heels of a court ruling that made same-sex marriage legal in Wyoming last fall. For more than a decade before that, Wyoming’s lawmakers had been locked in a stalemate on issues relating to sexuality. The Legislature was unwilling to pass Defense of Marriage laws or approve non-discrimination same-sex marriage bills.

Today’s action gives a sign that stalemate has lifted, setting the stage for historic debate in the coming week, assuming the House leaders allow the bill to come to the floor.

About Gregory Nickerson

Gregory Nickerson worked as government and policy reporter for WyoFile from 2012-2015. He studied history at the University of Wyoming. Follow Greg on Twitter at @GregNickersonWY and on www.facebook.com/GregoryNickersonWriter/

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Comments

I was reading a story the other day, and it happened to remind me of this debate.
The protagonist (a young man in his 30s) spent the majority of his time wandering the town and the countryside with other young men of questionable character. He was known far and wide for having some “very different ideas” as to how people should be living their lives; this made things a little uncomfortable for some in the quiet little town.
And…..
Well,long story short, some of the good people (and reliable taxpayers) of the quiet little town town got together one day and demanded that the government get involved……. which of course they eventually did.
And…..
I believe that after some careful and thoughtful deliberation they managed to sort the whole mess out.
Although I could be mistaken………………..

We need to get some politicians out of office. They obviously don’t represent the people of Wyoming. If a person is gay, it’s their prerogative. Nobody has the right to judge one for his or her orientation, or preference. A person should have the right to be “who they are”, and be free to express themselves accordingly. This is the “equality state”…. did they forget?

For all you “good Christians” who won’t serve a gay, lesbian or transgender person because you say it is against your religion try reading…”Luke 6:31 Do to others as YOU would have them do to you”. They come into your business to GIVE you money you should accept it with gratitude and reciprocate by giving them the item they want to purchase. The reason I left the catholic church is because of hypocrites like you all are.

“Edmonds said he expects the House vote on SF 115 to be a defining vote of the 2015 session. “It will be the one that surpasses Medicaid expansion as the thing that defines who wins and loses elections the next time,” he said.”

No one cares what’s best for Wyoming and her people. It’s all about who wins and loses elections. Do what’s right for Wyoming, not what will get you elected next time.